The University of Manitoba is incrementally rolling out a new version of Aurora for students, representing a transformation to the student experience. In March 2024, the New Aurora launch page was introduced, providing a one-stop destination with single-sign on access to essential tools and resources, including UM Learn, Course Registration, UM Achieve, and many other services.

November was selected as the optimal time to introduce the new registration functionality as it is a period during which we experience a low volume of transactions in our registration module.

UM employees can access updates, resources, and information about accessing support from the Aurora Modernization SharePoint site. 

Through 2025 additional features will continue to be moved to New Aurora. During this ongoing transition, some links from the launch page will continue to bring students and staff back to existing (classic) Aurora functionality.

Monday, June 17: Registration began for Bannatyne Campus Programs.

This applies to:

• Undergraduate students in Dentistry, Dental Hygiene (excluding Direct Entry), Medicine, Pharmacy, and Respiratory Therapy.
• Graduate students registering for the Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physical Therapy, or MPAS programs.

Registering for Courses

• To registration:
  1. Log into Aurora.
  2. Select the “Open Registration Dashboard” card.
  3. Follow the menus to register for your courses. Alternatively – you will find a step-by-step guide to registration and course selection on our Steps to Registration page.
• If you can’t access your registration, make sure you are accessing Aurora during your registration access time. 

Waitlists:

• Some courses have a waitlist option, notifying you via UM email when a space opens.
• Ensure you check it frequently.
• You cannot:
  • Register in a course and waitlist other sections of the same course.
  • Waitlist a course that conflicts with another registered course.
• Choose either to register for an open section or join a waitlist.

Student ID Cards

Your Student ID card, featuring your photograph, is essential for accessing many student services. Always carry it with you. Obtain your card after registering, preferably before classes start, to avoid long wait times.

Bannatyne Campus Pop-Up Photo ID Centre:

Dates:

• Wednesday, June 26
• Friday, June 28
• Tuesday, July 30
• Monday, August 12
• Thursday, August 15
• Monday, August 26
• Tuesday, August 27 (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM daily)
Location: Neil John Maclean Library, Room 339, Brodie Centre

Bring:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Study permit (if applicable)
• Old ID card (for replacements)

Students with existing Photo ID cards do not need new ones each year/term. These cards are also required for the U-Pass for Winnipeg Transit.

Find more information about ID cards.

REGISTERING FOR COURSES

Registration access times for students at the Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses will be available in your Aurora account on March 25. To view your registration time:

1. Log into Aurora.
2. Select the “Open Registration dashboard” card. 
3. Select ‘Registration Time and Status.’

Choose the academic term from the dropdown menu, and your registration access time for the selected term will be displayed.

The initial registration period runs from April 1 – April 4 (9:00 am-11:59 pm daily). On your designated registration date, you will have until 11:59 pm CST to register.

Registration will be closed April 5 – April 7, reopening on Monday, April 8 at 9:00 am CST you will have 24/7 access until the last date to register.

IS YOUR ACCOUNT ON HOLD?

It’s a good idea to check if you have any holds or if your student status prevents registration. Make sure you remove any holds before your date to register.

If you are on hold, review our information on how to remove a hold.

REVISION PERIOD

In the Summer Term, the last date to drop a course and the last date to add a course are the same date. To help prepare, please take note of these important deadlines found on the Summer Term section of the Dates and Deadlines page.

SUMMER PART OF TERM SCHEDULE

The part of term schedule breaks down the dates for summer courses based on when they run (their part of the term). Review the table below to familiarize yourself with the summer part of term dates.

Notes

• Classes on Monday, May 20th will be made up on Friday, May 24^th.
• Classes on Monday, July 1st will be made up on Friday, July 5^th.
• Classes on Monday, August 5th will be made up on Friday, August 9^th.

WAITLISTS

Waitlists for Summer Term will open on April 8, at 9:00 am. CST. It is very important that all students claim their UM email account and keep it in good standing to receive waitlist notifications. Once waitlists are open, waitlist notifications are enabled 24/7 until the last day to register.

If you want to switch waitlisted course sections, please contact an academic advisor. You may not be able to switch sections when a course has a waitlist.

If you miss the deadline to register for a waitlisted course you will need to re-register for the waitlist.

If you have further questions, contact an academic advisor.

TUITION FEE DEADLINE FOR SUMMER TERM

For courses running from:

• May/June and May-August, Winter/Summer term spanning courses (Part B): Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
• July/ August: Thursday, July 11, 2024.

For more information on payment of fees, please review the information on the Cashier’s Office page:

• Payment options
• Late payment of fees

For staff members, existing features are easily accessible through the “Aurora Classic Card” from the New Aurora Launch page. 

Students can anticipate a combination of new features and familiar tools, promising a more streamlined academic journey. Notably, we’ve transitioned to email authentication for logging in, eliminating the need for PIN codes and simplifying the process. 

Support: 

Upon logging in, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the interface: 

• Select the Aurora Classic card for current functions. 
• Explore additional resources that connect to external sources beyond the Aurora platform, including UM Learn, Email, and SharePoint. 

List of supports available to staff: 

• For login or password issues, contact the IST Service Desk. 
• For issues related to functions within Aurora Classic, contact the Registrar’s Office. 
• Help with navigating the New Aurora, visit the Navigating New Aurora guide.  
• To report an issue with the New Aurora Launch page, use the “Report a New Aurora Issue” form. 
• Visit our SharePoint site for the latest updates and FAQs. 

Faculty and staff can expect more user experience and functionality improvements in the coming year. These changes aim to simplify tasks and make Aurora easier to use. Feedback from faculty and staff will help guide these updates, ensuring they meet the needs of everyone using the platform. 

Join us as we embark on this modernization journey, aiming to enhance efficiency and user satisfaction. Together, let’s embrace this exciting evolution of Aurora.  

Making the choice to withdraw from a course can be difficult. Whether you need to take a break or are not resonating with the courses content, it is important that you understand your options and the impacts of Voluntarily Withdrawing from a course.

How to drop a course in New Aurora

• Select the “Open Registration dashboard” card. 
• Select the Add or Drop Classes link. 
• Select the winter term 2024 using the ‘Select Term’ option.
• Select ‘Add or Drop Classes’.
• On your current list of classes, locate the course(s) you want to drop.
  • Next to these courses will be a drop-down box, select ‘Voluntary Withdraw Web’.
• Click ‘Submit Changes’ at the bottom of the screen.

Before you drop a course…

• Talk to your Instructor.
  • Speak with your course instructor about your concerns and if there are strategies for improvement before the end of term.
• Talk with your academic advisor.
  • For advice and tips on course load, study strategies, and possible options for repeating the course in the future.
• Be aware of course load requirements and implications of a VW.
  • Sponsored students, students on government student loans, Bison athletes, or any other situation that requires a minimum course load.
• Check the First Year Planning Guide or the Academic Calendar.
  • These documents will help ensure you know where that course fits into your intended or current program.
• Check to see if the course is required as a prerequisite for upper-level courses within your program.
• See if the course is being offered again in the upcoming summer term schedule if you plan to try and repeat it.

VWs and your Student Record:

• No refund will be issued for a VW’d course.
• VW’d courses will be recorded on official transcripts and student records with a final grade of VW.
• Courses cannot be withdrawn from after the VW deadline has passed.

For information visit the important dates and deadlines page.

Maximizing Your New Aurora Experience 

Navigating and personalizing your New Aurora Home page is essential for staying organized and informed during your academic journey. This user-friendly platform provides easy access to crucial information and resources, helping you stay on top of your goals and deadlines. 

Your Home Page: Your Academic Hub 

When you land on the New Aurora Home page, take a moment to explore its layout. Here, you’ll find various sections and options designed to simplify your access to important information such as class schedules and Registration actions. 

Personalizing Your Home Page: Tailoring to Your Needs 

Rearrange cards to prioritize the most important information for you. Utilize the integrated calendar to keep track of UM events at your fingertips. With everything from UM Learn to email conveniently consolidated, managing your academic life has never been easier. 

Move cards by clicking and dragging them to your preferred location. Add or remove cards with a simple click on the bookmark icon. 

Aurora Essentials: Your Academic Toolbox 

Access the most important cards easily with Aurora Essentials. It’s a collection of vital cards for managing your student record and course registration. 

Get a glimpse of New Aurora, and if you still have questions, visit our FAQs section!

Excitement is brewing among students! In November 2023, our Aurora Project team unveiled a demo of the New Aurora Launch page at seven UM locations, receiving rave reviews. Students praised the integration of Aurora and UM Learn, the improved user interface, and expressed anticipation for its release.

Accessing the New Aurora Launch page

Log in to Aurora.umanitoba.ca using your umanitoba.ca email, and you’ll be directed to the New Aurora Launch page. Here, you’ll find cards instead of links and tabs, providing access to tools, resources, and webpages.  Staff will find a card guiding them back to “Aurora Classic” until the transition to the next phase of the project.

As we progress through 2024, students can expect the gradual introduction of new functionality. Throughout this project journey, it’s important to keep these key definitions in mind:

Aurora Classic, also known as SSB8, refers to our current self-service student information system used by both students and some staff members.

New Aurora is the next generation of self-service, including the New Aurora Launch page and additional updated functionality and tools.

Aurora Admin (commonly referred to as Banner, Admin Pages, or Aurora INB) is the backend of Aurora. This is the database that holds student records. Aurora Admin allows for further administrative functions that are not available in Aurora Student. These pages will not be changing.

Stay informed about our progress by visiting the Aurora Modernization Project on SharePoint or signing up for our email list. Together, let’s embrace this exciting journey towards a better student experience with New Aurora!

In November 2023, our Aurora Project team visited seven UM locations, unveiling the New Aurora Launch page to enthusiastic reviews. March 2024 marks the beginning of this remarkable journey, offering a comprehensive, one-stop destination with single-sign-on access to essential tools like UM Learn and Course Registration.

Throughout 2024, anticipate a phased rollout of new features, ensuring a smoother academic journey tailored just for you. As we transition, existing functionality will seamlessly integrate with the new system, with more details coming after the Winter Term Break.

Excitement is mounting for this transformative experience. Together, we’re shaping a future where innovation meets accessibility, making your student journey more engaging than ever. Stay tuned for the dawn of a new era with New Aurora!